"No," the elf said. She held up a four-fingered hand.

"See, my fingers are different from yours and my ears. But, please, have you seen Sammy?"

"Who?"

"Her cat," Che said. "He finds things, magically."

"No, we have seen no cat of any kind," Nada said. "Look, Electra and I came to rescue you, but we have learned that Godiva did not mean to hurt you, Che. She wants you to be her daughter's companion. We made a bargain to work together to rescue you from the horde. Now we have to settle where you are to go."

"But you can't keep Che from his mother!" Jenny protested. She was indeed the foal's friend. She was goblin size, which was still only half human height.

"We had to compromise," Nada said. "The alternative was to let the horde keep you."

Che nodded. "I understand. I must abide by your compromise."

"But first we had better get away from here," Godiva said, "before the horde moves around the cleft."

Indeed, the horde goblins were already running to the side in the direction of the next available crossing. It would take them a while, but not long enough to be ignored.

"Then we had better travel down to the Gap," Nada said. "That's in the direction each party is going."

"I'm not sure of that," Godiva said. "See, some of them are going that way too. There must be a crossing you didn't see."

Nada saw that it was true. "Then north," she said.

They formed a line and started north, through the jungle. They were all tired, but it was no time to rest. Nada led the way, in large serpent form, because she was able to force a passage best.

Then suddenly there was a roar ahead. Nada drew back, alarmed. It was a huge fire-breathing dragon, and it was bearing right down on them!

Chapter 8. Dolph's Direction

Chapter 8. Dolph's Direction

Dolph in nighthawk form, flew west through the night toward the With-a-Cookee River. Unfortunately Metria had not told him exactly where along the river his Betrothees were. That left him somewhat at a loss.

Well, all he could do was start at the source, assume fish form, and follow the river down until he found them. There must be a goblin tribe along it somewhere. Then he could assume dragon form or ogre form and smash the gobs to smithers and rescue the damsels. The notion had a certain appeal.

With his nighthawk eyes he could see clearly no matter how dark it was. But not only did he not know exactly where the girls were, he also did not know where the river was. Except that it was west of here. He almost wished the demoness was along, in case she could give him a better direction. But she would probably just give him the wrong direction, out of mischief.